Toshiba Qosmio x500/x505 keyboard backlight doesn't work

[dennn]

The keyboard backlight on my Qosmio x500 (pqx33c-01400n, bios v2.90) doesn't turn on. Fn-Z doesn't work. And the options for it in Toshiba's HWSetup program don't exist ... only the Illumination LED section is there. I'm guessing it's supposed to look like the manual shows:

This guy seems to have had a similar problem years ago, but I'm not sure if it was ever resolved:
https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-do-you-turn-on-backlit-keyboard-toshiba-x500-383056/

 

[webworkings]

Are you sure that device has a backlit keyboard? All the specs I find on it say no.

 

[dennn]

Are you sure that device has a backlit keyboard? All the specs I find on it say no.

What specs are you referring to? The user manual mentions it.

 

[webworkings]

I viewed them in the following places... sadly, none of which mention a backlit keyboard.

1. http://support.toshiba.ca/support/isg/specs/Qosmio/PQX33C-01400N.pdf

2. https://support.toshiba.com/support/staticContentDetail?contentId=4013553&isFromTOCLink=false (basically the same as the first one).

3. https://support.toshiba.com/support/staticContentDetail?contentId=4010644&isFromTOCLink=false

 

[dennn]

I think you're right, thanks! The spec sheets on the pqx33a models do mention it. Also, I'm guessing the models with backlit keyboards have a little blue keyboard icon on the Z key, since Fn-Z is supposed to toggle the lighting.

 

[webworkings]

Yeah. Sadly I think they make it much more confusing (manufacturers that is) when they make the same one, for different places, with different specs. I would rather they all have it, and if you don't want it, just don't turn it on.